Myanmar's military strongman Min Aung Hlaing officially becomes President, cementing grip on power

Naypyidaw (The Uttam Hindu): The military regime in Myanmar has further consolidated its hold on power, giving it a formal and constitutional form. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who overthrew the democratically elected government in 2021, has now officially become Myanmar's new president. He crossed the majority mark in a lopsided vote in the military-backed parliament on Friday. With this victory, the country's command has now completely and legally come into his hands, which experts consider an attempt to disguise dictatorship under the guise of democracy.

Military dominance in Parliament and a pre-determined script for victory

The victory of 69-year-old Min Aung Hlaing was already considered a certainty, as Myanmar's current parliament is completely dominated by the military. He received 293 votes out of a total of 584, exceeding the magic number required for victory. According to Myanmar's controversial constitution, one-quarter of the seats in parliament are reserved for military officers without any direct election. Consequently, it is virtually impossible for any civilian party to form a government or come to power without the military's consent. In the recent elections, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) captured more than 80% of the seats, which Western countries have termed an "electoral sham."

From coup mastermind to Rashtrapati Bhavan

General Hlaing had been the country's supreme leader since overthrowing the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Just before becoming president, he carried out a major and strategic reshuffle within the military. He appointed his most loyal and former intelligence chief, Ye Win Oo, as the new army chief. This move is intended to ensure that the military's power and control remain unimpeded even after a civilian presidency is established. This move by General Hlaing is being seen as a diplomatic maneuver to portray his government as legitimate internationally.

A fierce civil war and a new united front of rebels

Even though General Hlaing has been formally anointed to power within the capital, Naypyidaw, the situation on the ground remains dire. A large part of Myanmar remains engulfed in a brutal civil war. This week, the remaining leaders of Aung San Suu Kyi's party and ethnic minority militias joined forces to form a new "United Front." This alliance issued a strong statement on Monday, vowing that its ultimate goal is to uproot the military dictatorship and establish a new political structure.

Attitude of neighboring countries and future challenges

Now that Hlaing has officially become president, neighboring countries like China and ASEAN may try to restore relations with him. This could increase military and diplomatic pressure on insurgent groups. However, the ongoing armed conflict within the country, a faltering economy, and international sanctions are likely to make General Hlaing's presidency a thorny one. For the people of Myanmar, this change represents a shift in the center of power, where the military has ruled directly for five of the last six decades.